ABC Training Center

By Dave Herwitz, Director of Admissions, ABC Training Center

So the New York Times reported two days ago that while the recession was “officially over,” average household incomes had fallen more in the two years after the recession ended than it did during the recession itself (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/us/recession-officially-over-us-incomes-kept-falling.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=recession&st=cse).  That’s absolutely laughable.  That’s like a doctor telling you that you’re cured of an illness yet you’re still feeling terrible and not functioning properly.  That’s like saying that a war is over but bombs are still falling…I can go on and on.  According to the article, “Between June 2009, when the recession officially ended, and June 2011, inflation-adjusted median household income fell 6.7 percent, to $49,909, according to a study by two former Census Bureau officials. During the recession — from December 2007 to June 2009 — household income fell 3.2 percent.”  Look, this is by no means a political commentary or criticism on how any one party is doing its job.  But when is someone in Washington going to step up, declare and ACT like this a true national  emergency?  Once the envy of all nations, we’ve become the poster child for excessive spending and failed economic policies.

Just look around.  When I do, I see nearly 10% unemployment and continuous foreclosures across the country.  There was a time when the people running this country were looked upon as great men and women who were in some way looking out for all of us.  Those days, unfortunately are gone.  So what does that mean?  Well it means that it’s up to you and you alone to better yourself.  Just ask any of the thousands of ABC grads that have come through our doors over the years.  They made conscious decisions to make themselves immune to any economic fluctuations.  They’ve entered fields that have actually grown during this past recession.  Millions upon millions of jobs have been created in the health care field in the past few years.  Additionally, salaries in these fields are expected to increase by a whopping 22% by 2018.  No other career field can boast such figures.

No one  is going to look out for you better than you can.  It’s all about changing the national paradigm.  And it starts with causing change and not simply waiting for it.

Questions?  Comments?  Contact us at abctrain1@aol.com.

By Dave Herwitz, Director of Admissions, ABC Training Center

Last month, ABC Training Center celebrated a special day when we held our annual graduation ceremonies at St. Nicholas of Tolentine School in the Bronx.  That day marked a huge occasion for everyone involved.  For us as administrators, it was an opportunity to see so many of the eager faces who have come through our doors.  And while so many of our grads have come from various walks of life, they all accomplished the same goal: making a difference in their lives and in the lives of their loved ones by completing their medical career training with us.  There were students from our CNA, Home Health Aide and EKG/Phlebotomy classes.  There were Pharmacy Tech grads as well as Medical Billers and Coders.  For the grads themselves, well, the sense of accomplishment of completing a top-notch medical training course was apparent.

The medical career training that they’ve completed is beneficial on several levels.  With the present economic situation, our recently graduated friends have put themselves in an advantageous position to not only survive, but thrive in, the current downturn.  They’ve become a source of pride and inspiration to those who know them.  And as their careers progress, they will only become more marketable and valuable to whoever employs them in the future.  With that said, I’d like to congratulate each and every one of them on a job well done.  Graduation Day at ABC Training Center: one of my favorite days of the year.

Questions?  Comments?  Contact us at abctrain1@aol.com.

By Dave Herwitz, Director of Admissions, ABC Training Center

Two weeks ago, the US Department of Labor published its latest job report (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm).  My friends, the news was not good.  In fact it was rather grim.  After several months of growth, the economy added only 54,000 new jobs in the month of May.  In a country of over 300 million, that 54,000 number is downright scary.  The job news had an immediate effect on Wall Street as all of the major indexes dipped.  The Dow fell over 130 points just after the opening bell the day following the report.  Couple that with the recent reports that the housing market is still struggling mightily, and the story is even more depressing.

That is unless you work in the healthcare field.

That’s right.  The lone bright spot in the US Labor Report centered around only 2 industries that actually grew during the recession.  One of them was healthcare.  The New York Times reported:” The biggest gains were in professional and business services and in health care services, which grew steadily even during the recession.”  Think about it for a second.  While every other sector was eliminating jobs, the healthcare services sector was adding jobs around the country.  And the beautiful thing about it is that the end is not in sight.  The job growth is forecasted to continue.  This is something we’ve been preaching for years.

According to The Times, Paul Ashworth, chief United States economist at Capital Economics said: “The economy clearly just hit a brick wall.”

There’s nothing wrong with hitting a brick wall.  Just make sure you hit it hard enough to bust it down and keep going.  Just ask someone in the healthcare field.

Questions?  Comments?  Contact us at abctrain1@aol.com.

By Dave Herwitz, Director of Admissions, ABC Training Center

There are many aspects to what we do here at ABC Training Center.  Our staff has many responsibilities in addition to running the admissions process of a facility that trains hundreds of students at once all while trying to grow our program offerings and maintain our high standards.  On a daily basis, we’re also dealing with students, staff members, instructors, vendors, maintenance personnel – you name it.  Our responsibilities here at ABC are huge and we don’t take them lightly.  But sometimes it is difficult to see what we are accomplishing here every day.

That is until we receive an email like this one below.

It was written by a recent grad, Flona Patten, and it reinforces to us what we as a whole love about our jobs here at ABC Training Center.  Flona’s letter helps me realize what a difference we are making.  There are people who walk in here confused and frustrated with the current job market.  And they leave here confident, well trained and ready to take on new challenges.  At the end of a long day, an email like this is just what we need to keep things in perspective and to keep us going!

“I recently completed my training at ABC as a PCT.  I would just like to express my sincere gratitude to your establishment, for making available programs such as the ones you offer and most of all, your weekend classes.  On May 1, 2010, I commenced my CNA course.  My initial encounter was with Ms. Ideen Zarkin (Ms. Z).  First impression was humility.  As the classes progressed, we were taken through various aspects of life’s experiences and learned about the real world and how to incorporate the theory we were being taught.  Ms. Z was very instrumental in her students’ continuing education.  We were encouraged at almost every session to take the EKG and Phlebotomy classes.  Students even joked that ABC was paying her extra to advocate for them.  Whether that is true or not, it’s not known (didn’t have the guts to ask, but do hope it’s so), but with her prompting, I decided to do the classes.  I registered, took the books home, started to read.  I got through the first chapter and thought “this is NOT a piece of cake”.  With great hesitation I turned up for my first class.  Mr. Edward Botchway, (Mr. Eddie) introduced himself, told us what the course entailed and began teaching.  I got the shock of my life.  All that I had read and found so hard to comprehend, Mr. Eddie with such profound grace, eased us through what had seemed so difficult.  I actually started to look forward to coming to classes.  Such a graceful, giving individual.  ABC is to be commended for providing the opportunity for people like me who currently work, but still want to pursue higher educational levels.  You are blessed to have people like Ms. Z, with her adaptability, humility, empathy and leadership qualities, and Mr. Eddie, with such profound knowledge, willingness to share, and charm.  Please value them, as they share with so much dedication the tools they have with the rest of us.  I passed my CNA, completed my EKG and Phlebotomy and am now a PCT.  I sit for my Nationals next week, which I am most confident I will pass.  Thank you ABC and may God continue to bless you and the rest of your staff.”

Sincerely,

Flona Patten

And this is why we do what we do.  Thanks Flona.

Questions?  Comments?  Contact us at abctrain1@aol.com.

by Dave Herwitz, Director of Admissions, ABC Training Center

Well here we are in mid-April.  The weather is getting warmer (thank heavens), the days are getting longer and just a few subway stops away on the 4 train, the most successful team in all of sports is doing its thing again.  That’s right, the New York Yankees are back in action powering their way atop the American League.  So that got me to thinking about all of the similarities and differences between the New York Yankees and ABC Training Center – 2 great NYC  winning traditions, Bronx style.  A sort of Tale of the Tape, if you will.  Drum roll please…

Play Ball.

Questions? Comments?  Contact us at abctrain1@aol.com.